Work Text:
A dark and dreary night, rain falling softly onto the hard concrete ground and aluminum roofing. Muffling the sounds around. Muffling the sound of a window breaking. Muffling the sound of a trespasser making their way into an unlit study, where one is laying soundly asleep on the sofa.
The trespasser stands by the sleeping man’s side. Food. He’s hungry, it’s been quite a while since he last had a proper meal. He positions his hands softly to keep the body still, limiting airflow, then bites . The blood fills his mouth. The body starts to struggle, but soon falls limb again. He can still feel the pulses from the heart sending blood right to him. Finally, he’s been hungry for far too long.
Steps. He hears the distinct steps of another. Releasing his bite, he stays still, will they just pass on by? The other stands by the doorway shortly, before turning on the lights. Surprise paints her face, 'no, if she screams everyone will-' His thoughts start to race, he has to do something.
"You know, I prefer to cook them beforehand." Though before he can take action, she says something that leaves him confused.
"What?" He utters, trying to process it.
"I also find that the skin can be quite tough and tasteless if you don't prepare it properly. Oh! And can't forget, it's far more rewarding to eat something that has been cut to perfection, than to just slice and dice, wouldn't you say?" She holds a warm smile, what an interesting lady. He also notes that she has one hand out of his view, could be holding a weapon.
"Quite so, though I find that the blood gives plenty of taste to the meat." He fully lets go of the body, can go back to it later, and stands up. "In addition, I can be quite impatient, so why would I bother cooking it?"
"I see, well, have you ever tried cooking it? Maybe you'll find that you like it?"
"I have not, but if my distaste for ordinary cooked meat is anything to go by, I don't see the point."
"Then I find you are far too narrow minded."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Then prove it." He gestures to the body and gives her way to approach it.
"Gladly." She moves towards the body with her knife. 'So she did hide something.' And cuts into it. He looks on in amazement as she cuts the man up like he was just a pig, he probably was one to if his appearance is anything to go by.
"You've done this before?" Alastor asks, fascinated.
"Well, this is- was , my fifth husband, so I'd say so, yes." She answers so calmly while being fully focused on her task.
"I see, well, I'm sorry for your loss." He tells with a smile.
"Oh, don't be dear, he wasn't long for this world anyway." She answers, playing along a little.
"Is that so? Whatever was he inflicted with?"
"Ahh, you know, the usual, a lovely bride whom his heart couldn't handle."
"I guess her beauty was too serene for someone like that."
"I suppose, though I wouldn't hold it against them, they are human after all."
"Indeed they are." Is she not?
"I am too, of course, as are we all. Though I try to be kinder than the ones that I meet."
"Kinder?"
"Yes, as they can't hold me, I try to be kind and hold them instead." She says, lifting up a nicely cut piece of meat. "What do you think of this one?" It's bloody, he wants a bite.
"Make sure it's rare." He tells, holding one hand discreetly in front of his mouth, he's still hungry.
"Sure. You're quite a picky one, aren't you? And yet you eat off the ground." She gets up and starts making her way to the kitchen while he debates whether or not to follow. It would be alright to take a little sip of the man while she works, right?
"Are you coming?" She asks.
"Yes." He answers, trying to hide his feeling of defeat. This better be good or she's on the menu too.
She works quite quickly, though it's still far too slow for Alastor's liking. If he hadn't been stopped then he would be full and on his way home. He had more important things to do, like-
"Do you want some salad on the side?"
"No, I very much would like just the meat." His hunger was starting to make him rude.
"You can't live on just meat dear."
"I can live on deer meat if I want, I just prefer humans." He likes the salty taste of their blood.
"If you say so." She rolled her eyes slightly, as that wasn't remotely what she was talking about. "I'm guessing you're hungry."
"Well, you did interrupt my meal." He says, trying to restrain his hunger.
"And I'd say I made it better." She brings two plates to the table he's sitting at, one for her and the other for him. "I hope it's to your liking."
"Thank you." He says politely as he reaches for the salt, but she stops him.
"You know it's rude to add salt without having tasted the food beforehand, right?"
"Right." He pulls his hand back and does as he's told, taking a bite. "It's good." How unexpected. He takes another bite. "Not bad."
"You still want the salt?" She asks, shaking it.
"It wouldn't hurt." He takes it and pours some on his food, "but it was still nice without it." He tells, almost as if he's shy. "I'm just one who likes the taste of salt, is all."
"I'll keep that in mind."
They eat in comfortable silence.
"Thank you for the meal, it was quite lovely dear." He tells after taking his last bite and putting down his cutlery. He'd still prefer raw, but he wouldn't mind this from time to time.
"It was a pleasure, it's nice to find another with such good taste in meat." She removes the empty plates to leave them by the sink. “In addition,” she returns, "you can call me Rosie." And sits down with hands under her chin and elbows on the table. "What may I call you?" She asks with a prodding stare.
He moves from his seat to her side, he gives a little bow while reaching out a hand. "You may call me Alastor, It's a pleasure to meet you, quite a pleasure."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Alastor." She takes his hand and he assists her up. "Now then, would you be a dear and help me with the rest of my husband?"
"Gladly." He responds with a wicked smile